The Gay Baby Boom Through In Vitro Fertilization
Monday May 12, 2008
When I came out to my mom, one of her fears was that I would never have kids. I assured her that I could still be gay and have a family. I explained my options. I told her that if I decided to have kids, my partner and I could choose to adopt or have a baby through in vitro fertilization.
According to Circle Surrogacy, an agency that helps match parents with surrogate mothers and donors, 80% of their clients are same-sex couples, up from 10% twelve years ago. And according to Reproductive Science Center of New England, a chain of infertility clinics, gay and lesbian couples exploring surrogacy options has doubled each year since 2004. The number of gay couples that are having children has increased recently, but the "gay baby boom" is no new phenomenon. Gay and lesbian couples have been heading households for years. There are even a few men in the forum that have teenage kids.
Considering having kids either now or in the future?
Learn more about in vitro fertilization. Also check out the list of kids of famous gays.
Image © Family Equality Council.
Comments
The majority of gay and lesbian parents that have children had them through heterosexual relationships. Most of my gay and lesbian friends have their own biological children. Many of us did not come out until after we had children.
Interestingly, as a single woman who wants to have children, I’ve been investigating the possibility of co-parenting with a gay couple. Were I still living in my old state, in fact, I would have probably done so by now with my favorite married pair.